Lt. Col. Ralph Peters: Obama a 'Symbol,' Not a 'Leader'

The United States has an "image problem" on the world stage, and President Barack Obama is at the center of the circle of blame, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ralph Peters said.

"We certainly have an image problem. It's amazing how fast our image of strength, of being a superpower, has crumbled," Peters told "Fox & Friends" on Monday.

"The president is at the heart of the problem ... That's what America gets for electing a symbol rather than a leader," he said.

Peters joined a chorus of commentators and lawmakers who have called Obama's credibility into question. His capabilities face increased scrutiny as the United States tries to persuade Russia not to move into Ukraine after its recent takeover of Crimea.

David Brooks, political commentator and columnist for The New York Times, told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that Obama had a "manhood problem" with world leaders in the Middle East.

Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker, also on "Meet the Press," said the president was working from a position of urging Russia "not to embarrass us" by moving troops into Ukraine.

Peters said Obama also lacked "follow through." He described the president as "profoundly unprepared" to serve in the nation's highest office.

"He has attention deficit disorder at the strategic level," Peters said. "You've got to be able to make a decision and follow through."

A president cannot be "poll-driven," Peters said, adding that it is the job of the commander in chief to guide and inform Americans during world crises.

"It is a president's job to explain to the American people why a given crisis matters. And Obama lacks the courage even to do that much," he said.